The MacRobert Trust has signed the Armed Forces Covenant, a commitment to support the UK’s servicemen and women wherever and however it can.
The Trust joins more than 2,500 UK organisations to have now signed the pledge.
MacRobert Chief Executive Officer Chris Hockley signed the document at Douneside House in Royal Deeside. The document was co-signed on behalf of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) by Squadron Leader Noel Rees RAF, Executive Officer of 6 Squadron at RAF Lossiemouth.
The Trust’s commitment to honouring the Covenant includes pledges to:
- Promote the fact it is an Armed Forces-friendly organisation.
- Seek to support the employment of veterans and work with the Career Transition Partnership (CTP).
- Strive to support the employment of Service spouses and partners.
- Endeavour to offer a degree of flexibility in granting leave for Service spouses and partners before, during and after a partner’s deployment.
- Seek to support candidates who choose to be members of the Reserve Forces, including by accommodating their training and deployment where possible through offering flexibility of roles and durations.
- Aim to actively participate in Armed Forces Day.
- Engage with local veterans’ groups to make them aware of The MacRobert Trust’s commitment.
- Utilise ex-Armed Forces staff to assist Veterans, Reserves and their spouses and partners in navigating unfamiliar employment processes.
As well as signing the Covenant, the Trust received a Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Bronze Award. The ERS awards encourage employers to support defence and inspire others to do the same. The prestigious Bronze, Silver and Gold awards are for employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to defence and the Armed Forces community, and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant.
The Covenant signing was organised by Highland Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association and attended – along with the signatories – by the organisation’s Regional Employer Engagement Director Michelle McKearnon.
Michelle said: “I am delighted The MacRobert Trust has formally pledged its commitment to the Armed Forces community by signing the Armed Forces Covenant. Their support is hugely appreciated and we are very much looking forward to working with them via our Employer Recognition Scheme and thank them for the opportunities they are providing to our forces and ex-forces personnel.”
The MacRobert Trust performs three roles: It’s a dynamic charity, the owner of a historic legacy and a forward-thinking landlord with a large and vibrant estate to manage.
Since it began, the Trust has donated millions of pounds to charitable organisations, created a variety of prizes, awards, traineeships and endowments, and paid for building works across the country.
Chris Hockley (left) and Squadron Leader Noel Rees in the grounds of Douneside House with the signed Covenant and ERS Bronze Award.
